THEOLOGY 4:

LIVING THE CHRISTIAN VISION IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Hello class,

Today, we will continue our discussion of the Root Cause of our Ecological Crisis

A. Concern for Nature

1. The Human Roots of the Present Ecological Crisis
a. Environmental, Social and Human Degradation
b. Technocratic Paradigm. and Modern Anthropocentrism
c. Problem Tree Analysis

We will proceed to Modern Anthropocentrism. But let us first look at this video titled
“Man” (2013) by Steve Cutts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGMYdalClU

Anthropocentric environmental world view sees man as the most important creature or
species and therefore all forms of development that will supply his needs and wants are
deemed justifiable.

This results to a mechanistic regard for all the elements of nature “as merely objects to
which humans attach utilitarian values.”

With this kind of environmental worldview, man continues to believe that the rich and
teeming natural resources are always at his disposal and therefore can be exploited.

Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Laudato Si” is sometimes referred to as the “Gospel of Creation.”

There, the Holy Father sets forth clarifications regarding these teachings:

1. What does it mean to “have dominion” of the earth?

2. What is the intrinsic value of other creatures? (and)
3. What is the anthropocentric world view?

Laudato Si does not directly reject the “anthropocentric view.” In LS, the word
“anthropocentrism” is always used in a qualified sense with descriptive adjectives such as:
• "tyrannical" (LS 68),
• "distorted" (LS 69),
• "modern" (title before 115),
• "excessive" (LS 116),
• "misguided" (LS 118, 119, 122).

Hence, these are the kind of anthropocentric views and attitudes that must be avoided.
Laudato Si emphasizes the need to have a correct and balanced anthropology (LS 90).

Our anthropocentric world view rests on the belief that We are created in God’s
image & likeness. We have a special covenantal relationship with HIM. We have a
special place in the plan of God, in Creation. But we are not gods.
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Our faith is THEOCENTRIC, i.e. “God centered.”

Wisdom 9:1-6 Wisdom 9:9-11

“God of my fathers, Lord of Mercy,
You have made all things by your
word and in your wisdom have
established man to rule the
creatures produced by you to
govern the world in holiness and
justice and to render judgment in
integrity of heart. Give me wisdom...
for I am...a man weak and short-
lived and lacking in comprehension
of judgment and laws.”
“Now with you is Wisdom, who knows
your works and was present when
you made the world; who
understands what is pleasing in your
eyes and what is conformable with
your commands. Send her forth from
your holy heavens...that she may be
with me and work with me that I may
know what is your pleasure.”
“For she knows and understands all
things and will guide me discreetly in
my affairs and safeguard me by her
glory.”

At this point, we will learn how to do a Problem Tree Analysis to address our problem
with the environment and ecology.

The task is: To analyze and identify the root cause (roots), the problem created (trunk) and
the effects (branches/leaves/fruits) of a given environmental issue.

Case: Boracay Island

BRANCHES: Flooding, polluted sea/ocean, dead corrals, etc./ displaced Atis (IP
community)
TRUNK/Main Problem: Unsustainable- unregulated mass tourism
ROOTS: GREED & Corruption in issuing ECC; Negligence, Lack of care & foresight re:
carrying capacity
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FRUIT: Death of the Island and the local community.

To embark in a holistic solution, we should be able to follow this process:

1. Study: See scientifically

2. Research: Evaluate ethically
3. Analysis: Reflect spiritually
4. Action: Act effectively

To complete the process, we will have to examine the ff:

The Good News of Creation Renewed Integral Ecology in LS

1. The Plan of God for Creation 1. Intergenerational Justice: The

2. The Role of Man in Creation ethical problem of distributing
3. Authentic Development scarce resources between different
age groups in a society
2. Proper Place of Technology:
Technology are only a means to an
end; the Person is more important
than technology
3. Holistic Ecology as “Consistent
Ethic of Life”: The view that
humans and the environment as a
single system; Ethics based on the
INTERCONNECTEDNESS of all
creation
4. Ecological Conversion: The
effects of people’s encounter with
the Divine (with Jesus Christ
among Christians) become evident
in their relationship with the world
around them
5. Ecological Spirituality: In this
spirituality, we return to recognize
that if there is justice in the human
heart, it is a share in God’s justice;
if there is love among us, it is a
share in God’s love.

As the paradigm for sustainable

development and well-being,
ecological spirituality is an attempt to
understand and to harness our
creative spiritual energies.